Ashwagandha Herb - Is This herb Truly Beneficial?
Ashwagandha is one of the important constituents of Ayurveda, an ancient form of alternative medical practice based on Indian spiritual principles. It's been utilized for more than 3,000 years to treat stress, increase stamina, and enhance concentration (up to 40 percent). In India, ashwagandha has been utilized for thousands of years as a powerful mental and physical tonic. One of the reasons why ashwagandha works so well is that it has a powerful effect on the olfactory nerves. It has a pungent smell that invokes sensual thoughts.
Many people today are starting to understand just how important ashwagandha tincture is to the health of their body, mind and spirit. Ashwagandha, also known as withania somnifera or winter cherry, is a perennial herb that grows up to six feet tall and produces a scent similar to wintergreen. The wintergreen scent comes from the essential oil of withania somnifera or ashwagandha. It is often used in skin and hair care products, massage oils, and as a digestive aid to promote regularity and reduce anxiety.
While many traditional remedies make use of ashwagandha as an internal or external tonic, liquid extract is often used as a remedy to treat acute diseases or to help balance moods. Ashwagandha has also proven beneficial as an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agent. This herb is considered an alternative treatment for cancer, AIDS, asthma, depression, epilepsy, chronic fatigue, diabetes, herpes, kidney problems, tumors, rheumatism, stress and upset stomachs. Some studies show that ashwagandha may help in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It may also slow the progress of prostate cancer.
Ashwagandha can be taken as an herb or as a tea. Some of the more common brand names for this wonderful herb are ashwagandha tea, winter cherry juice, wintergreen tea, winter cherry syrup and ashwagandha tincture. There is also ashwagandha in tablets, capsules and liquid extract. When buying ashwagandha, it is always best to buy it from reputed stores.
Indian ginseng is another wonderful herb that promotes vitality and overall well being. There is an entire family of Indian herbs called ginsengs. They are very useful for the immune system, nerves and the circulatory system and many of these herbs have significant medicinal value. Unfortunately, when it comes to organic ashwagandha, there is not enough scientific data available on it yet. Many of the studies that have been conducted on the properties of these herbs so far have been on animals and have shown little or no benefits.
Ashwagandha powder can be added to Indian cooking and baking recipes in a pinch to add extra flavor and benefit. The use of ashwagandha in making a cup of tea is not recommended. As with any herb, taking too much of ashwagandha can be dangerous to your health. The same is true about using ashwagandha in poultices and ointments - you really do need to be careful with these remedies and always follow your doctor's advice.
Ashwagandha might also be useful in treating conditions like panic and anxiety. Research has demonstrated that ashwagandha might have some effect in relieving symptoms of these conditions, though the research is inconclusive. This herb has also been used to treat conditions related to the digestive tract including irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. The question that needs to be asked here is what makes ashwagandha useful in these conditions. It is not known yet how ashwagandha might affect the chemistry of the intestines or how it might help with controlling the inflammation of the bowel - this is still a mystery.
Because the use of ashwagandha has been found to be effective in the relief of stress and to decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression, the use of this herb is becoming popular all over the world. However, it should always be kept in mind that even though ashwagandha has proven to be very effective, it cannot be considered a miracle herb and it does take some time for its full effect to become apparent. People suffering from stress and who are suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders might find that the benefits of ashwagandha only come when it is taken continuously and not only when the recommended dosage is taken. In this case, it might be best to consult a doctor or an alternative health practitioner to help you determine the best dosages and frequency of your intake of ashwagandha.